The Book of Life - Your 23 Chromosomes

To read the full article, see: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/the-book-of-life-your-23-chromosomes/

Astronomy Photo of the Day: A Volcanic Eruption of Galactic Proportions: 1/12/2014

Most of us have probably heard about super eruptions, but for those of us who aren’t familiar with them, these are massive volcanic explosions that make ordinary eruptions look like nothing more than a bit of steam. So, what happens with a super eruption? In essence, the volcano erupts; people are drowned beneath mountains of lava; a looming cloud of sulfur dioxide gets carried over the globe; the Earth plunges into a volcanic winter; countless species die.

Fun times.

Of course, not all super eruptions are this catastrophic, but the basic point remains the same: A super eruption is a natural disaster of monumental proportions. And for whatever reason, humans are obsessed with annihilation. We love to witness the awesome power of a tornado, the havoc brought by earthquakes, and the explosive power of meteoroids. This drive has made “Storm Chaser” an actual job title.

This image by photographer Yuga Kurita shows an eruption that is just as awe inspiring as ordinary eruptions, but is (thankfully) far less destructive. In Japan, many individuals traverse the side of Mt. Fuji after sundown in order to see the sunrise from the volcanic peak. In order to avoid an undesirable tumble, the travelers use flashlights to guide them.

Kurita explained the creation of the image, writing that, “when I arrived at Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, I saw people climbing up Mt. Fuji with flash lights and I thought they looked like lava streams. Then I came up with this composition, since nowadays, the Milky Way appears vertically in the sky so probably I could liken Mt. Fuji to an imaginary galactic volcano, that is, people climbing up with torches are lava streams and the Milky Way is the volcano smoke.”

Sources:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/astronomy-photo-of-the-day-a-volcanic-eruption-of-galactic-proportions-1122014/

Image via: https://www.facebook.com/kuriyuga

Faster Than Light Neutrinos? No thanks.

In science, there is a saying that goes something like this: It is very hard to unprint something. This saying speaks towards the inevitable fact that, once something goes to print, it is hard to change it. Because of this, there are a lot of public misconceptions of science – I’m going to put one of them to rest today.

Allow me to set the stage for you. It was September 23, 2011 when the world woke up to impossible news; scientists have measured neutrinos traveling faster than the speed of light. Headlines around the world read ‘Was Einstein Wrong?’, ‘Faster than Light Neutrinos Could Disprove Relativity’, ‘Physicists Worried about Relativity’ and the like. All of the sudden, it appeared as if a century’s worth of physics and advancements began crumbling all around us. Most of these stories (and the first one I read) left you under the impression that this result was all but certain, what they didn’t say is that this result was a one-time occurrence and it hadn’t been confirmed. (As a comparison, NASA lands a rover the size of a small car on another planet in one of the most technologically advanced and ambitious Mars missions of all time, not a mention of it in my newspaper. This story was on the front page – and it isn’t even confirmed.)

To see the full article, see: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/faster-than-light-neutrinos-no-thanks/

Dark Flow: A Mysterious Force From Outside of our Local Universe

When physicists were studying the signature of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which was thrust into existence when our universe was still in diapers, they noted something strange and very unexpected. Clusters of stars were seen traveling at exceptional speed into a narrow expanse of space (about 20 degrees). Indicating that something, but we are not sure of what, is tugging on the galaxies from beyond the scope of the observable universe. Leaving some VERY interesting questions, with equally interesting implications. Could this so-called "dark flow" be evidence of a sister universe, tugging at our own?

Read More: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/dark-flow/

Image Source (Before Editing): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nasa-dark_flow-large.jpg

Ada Lovelace – The Prophet of the Computer Age

Not many people know that Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852), otherwise known as “The Enchantress of Numbers”, was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron.

Even fewer know that Ada Lovelace would become one of the most important mathematicians in recorded history. Her work would prove instrumental in developing modern computers.

Read all about her here: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/ada-lovelace-the-prophet-of-the-computer-age/

Image Credit: Getty Images

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids:

The most underrated threat to our planet might be impact events that threaten our small world. Most meteors and asteroids may be incredibly small; however, even the largest are discreet and almost undetectable until it"s too late to do anything about them -- a situation that played out just last year, with the Chelyabinsk Meteor in Russia. If that impact didn"t open your eyes to the danger of these objects, perhaps this newly released image will.

Learn about the significance of this image at
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/14300/

Image via
NASA

Solar Tsunamis:

Do you love diving into the crisp, salty waters of the ocean? Love to feel the sand rolling beneath your feet as you plod through the surf? Do you like the smell of your skin being scorched from your bones, and the feel of your blood as it is boiled from your body?

If you answered “yes” to the first two, you’d probably enjoy catching a few waves on some of California’s exquisite beaches. If you answered “yes” to all three, you’d probably enjoy catching a few solar waves on the Sun’s surface (and you might be a teensy bit crazy, but who am I to judge?).

We all know about the tsunamis that crash across our planet. And we know about the destruction that they can cause. Who can forget the horrifying 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, with its waves reaching some 95 feet (30 meters) in the air? If tsunamis on Earth are so unspeakably powerful, what can be said about solar tsunamis?

Find out: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/solar-tsunamis/

Image Credit: NASA

Astronomy Picture of the Day: 01/11/14 - NGC 1316

When two galaxies collide, the aftereffects are typically noticeable to any outside onlookers (the tad pole galaxies and the Mice galaxies are two notable examples). However, the aftereffects are generally not nearly as peculiar as what we see here, with this unusual galaxy. NGC 1316 (its formal designation) is located about 75 million light-years from Earth in the constellation of Fornax. This jumbled mess of a galaxy spans about 60,000 light-years across - making it much smaller than our home galaxy of the Milky Way - yet it contains exponentially more gas and dust, which give life to new stars.

Astronomers have deduced that this unique looking galaxy is actually an elliptical galaxy of epic proportions, but by a strange twist of fate, it just so happens to have the dark dust (or knot) lanes typically attributed to spiral galaxies -- suggesting that one or more of the galaxies absorbed by NGC 1316 were spiral in nature. Similarly, more evidence was uncovered to suggest that NGC 1316 is the result of several celestial collisions. This evidence comes in the form of several low-mass globular clusters found lurking within the vicinity of NGC 1316"s central region (yes, it has one). Many of the stars that inhabit the cluster still bear the scars of the long-ended mergers, especially as far as distribution is concerned.

Sources & Further Reading: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/apod-ngc-1316/

Image Credit: P. Goudfrooij (STScI), Hubble Heritage Team, (STScI/AURA), ESA, NASA

Question: Which Star is Likely to go Supernova in Our Lifetimes?

Question: I have read that supernovae only happen in our galaxy every hundred years or so, so which star is the most likely candidate to go nova soon? What will it look like from Earth?"

Answer: It"s difficult to be sure exactly which star will be the first to go, but we have a few candidates to consider. The first candidate is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Eta Carinae, as its called, is a heavyweight star located some 7,500 light-years from Earth. Moving onward, we have IK Pegasus, one of two stars in an ill-fated binary system. One of the stars, IK Pegasus A, will soon transform into a red-giant (this transformation marks the beginning of the end for sun-like stars), subsequently transferring matter to its companion white-dwarf, IK Pegasus B. This process will culminate in a type 1a supernova blast.

Of course, we can"t ignore Antares, a super-giant in the constellation of Scorpio. It too has a companion star that will explode in a type 1a blast. Neither of these are more likely to explode than Betelgeuse. (Perhaps if we say it three times, we"ll get to see it in our lifetimes? Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!)

Find out more about the star and how it will look on Earth, here: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/question-which-star-is-likely-to-go-supernova-in-our-lifetimes/

Image Credit: ESO/L. Calçada (Larger image: http://ow.ly/stGvG)

Shirts for a Cause:

Here at From Quarks to Quasars, our team is working to spread scientific literacy in a fun, easily digestible fashion -- by showcasing some of the most recent scientific developments in a way that the average person can comprehend. Our philosophy centers around ensuring that everyone (regardless of education, location, language, economic situation, or background) has free access to said developments in technology and research. By increasing the amount of scientific material that is seen and understood by the general public, we hope to help others look at the world around them with rationalism and skepticism -- ultimately allowing them to separate science fact from science fiction using the scientific method.

With this in mind, our ultimate goal is to raise money to host scholarships and grants. This, in turn, will aid the next generation of scientists and encourage individuals to take part in scientific studies. We also hope to raise money to assist nonprofits that are working to achieve similar goals (all of our articles are free, and they always will be).

Consequently, if you are looking for a gift for yourself or for a fellow science lover, this is a great place to get cool items and contribute to a good cause. In addition to helping us with our day-to-day operational fees, your contribution will be used to help us achieve the aforementioned goals. With your help, we can help ensure that this generation has the tools they will need to succeed.

Visit us at The FQtQ Store:

http://www.sunfrogshirts.com/Geek-&-Tech/Quarks-to-Quasar-logo-white.html?2415

We have many different colors and designs; we ship outside the U.S., and we have shirts for both men and women. And as always, thanks for being awesome.

Science on,
~The FQtQ Team

Will There be Another Space Race?

At times, it seems that the world has come to a standstill--like the era of exploration is behind us, like we’ve nothing to do but turn inward, like we are grinding to a halt. With nations around the globe facing financial crisis, many question whether continued space endeavors are really worth the trouble. However, space exploration (like exploration in general) is not a vain attempt at conquest. Rather, it is fueled by a desire to know, to see, and to better understand.

In fact, our first steps out into the stars revolutionized the way that we saw our own little planet (think of Carl Sagan"s Pale Blue Dot). What"s more, it fueled industry and inspired an entire generation to reach for the stars (literally). The first men and women to leave our planet helped all of us better understand the cultural, economic, and scientific importance of space exploration. So where are we now? And where are we heading?

Find out what the future holds at:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/will-there-be-another-space-race/

Image via
CNSA

ISON"s New Meteor Shower?

You all remember Comet ISON, right? The little comet that couldn"t? In late November, ISON disappointed skywatchers all over the world by not surviving it"s trip around the Sun. There was no "comet of the century" to be seen in December as ISON was little more than a diffuse collection of dust. Even then, ISON has managed to continuously surprise astronomers with it"s peculiar behavior. The dust trail left behind by ISON might be the subject of some more interest.

Around January 12th, Earth will be passing through the debris trail left behind by ISON, paving the way for another annual meteor shower. Only, this meteor shower is likely to have some very interesting properties.

To learn more, see: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/isons-new-meteor-shower/

Astronomy Picture of the Day: 01/09/13 - LMC Over Easter Island

This is an incredible picture of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) as it rises in the southern sky over Easter Island. Here, four of the famous Maoi are easily visible as they guard Ahu Akivi.

The LMC is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and is located about 160,000 light-years from Earth. Needless to say, it is easily visible with the unaided eye. For those interested, the Maoi were created about 500 years ago by Polynesian colonizers. There are seven Maoi at this particular location and a total of 887 of these great statues throughout the Island itself.

http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/astronomy-picture-of-the-day-010913-lmc-over-easter-island/

Colonization of Space is Now

When we think of space exploration, we generally think of excitement and entertainment--of all the interesting things that await us out in the cosmos. What we often fail to consider is the evolution and advancement of our species. And when I say "evolution," I mean it literally.

Learn how space exploration may fuel our evolution at:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/colonization-of-space-is-now/

Image can be purchased here:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/gus3141592/works/5874730-jetpack-evolution

The Era of Exploration:

While browsing the internet, I stumbled across a rather alarming idea. It was in the form of a quote, and it read, “You were born too late. You will never explore Earth. You were also born too early. You will never explore the stars.” I find this assertion a tad depressing.

According to this quote, there is little hope that we will ever trek across the surface of unexplored mountains, deserts, volcanic plains, or what have you. No matter how remote a place may be someone, somewhere has already explored it.

Similarly, chances are, we will never boldly trek out into space and go where no man (or woman) has gone before. We lack the technology. We lack the drive. So the exploration of this final frontier will be left to those who are not yet born. But is our outlook really this dismal?

Find out what the future of exploration really holds for us at:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/the-era-of-exploration/

Image:
NASA

The First X-class Solar Flare of 2014:

Our sun, that great fireball in the sky, is the giver of light to all the Earth. However, at times, we can feel very disconnected from our nearest star, not so much because of its physical distance (which is some 93 million miles/ 150 million km), but because we take it for granted. From Earth, we just see a bright ball of light that travels throughout the sky, much the same, day after day. The problem is that we don"t really see what is going on, and so we forget about the immense power the Sun. But every now and then, it flares up to remind us that we need to take notice.

Case in point, on January 7 at 18:09 UTC (Jan 8 5:10 am Melbourne, Australia), the sun let off a giant burst of energy! We had our first x-class solar flare for 2014, which registered a maximum flux of X 1.3 at 18:32 UTC.

For much of the Earth, we are still going to be detached from this solar tsunami. However, in the northern and southern latitudes, aurorae are likely to become livelier (as it takes a few days to travel such an enormous distance)

With two large solar flares ringing in the new year, it seems that solar cycle 24 still has more to offer.

Learn more about solar flares by visiting the sources at:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/the-first-x-class-solar-flare-of-2014/

Image courtesy of
Science That

We Want You to Write for Us:

Do you love science and writing? FQTQ is looking to expand its staff, and you can help. We are looking to add writers and editors to a limited number of paid positions.

If you"re interested in applying, see the requirements listed here: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/we-want-you-to-write-for-us/

Intelligence: Moving Beyond IQ (Part 2)

In part one (linked to below), I discussed a few ways that humans define intelligence, as well as the most widely used measure of intelligence (IQ). Now, we’re breaking away to look at the bigger picture of intelligence: Is IQ really all we have to say about intelligence?

When it comes to intelligence, there are some bold questions we have to ask. For example, “Can your IQ change over time or with education?,” “Does a high IQ guarantee academic success?,”“What do other skills (like empathy, communication, and perseverance) have to do with intelligence?” Scientists have been working over the last few decades to give us a more complete picture of what it means to be “smart.”

And this question is a lot more complex than you might imagine: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/intelligence-moving-beyond-iq/

Part 1: ow.ly/sp6yp

Image via: Wikimedia Commons

What is Intelligence? What Do IQ Tests Really Measure? (Part 1)

Throughout history, Homo Sapiens (as well as our direct ancestors like Neanderthals and Australopithecus) have attempted to breakaway from nature; one of the many ties that bind us. Instead of being controlled by the whims of mother Earth and adapting to our environment, we try and make nature and our environment adapt to us. We have invented a great variety of tools in order to assist us in this capacity. Over time, humans even started to harness nature itself--raising plants and animals for food rather than gathering or hunting. There is little doubt that, for the most part, present day Homo Sapiens dominate nature.

Of course, we can debate the ways in which this practice is both beneficial and problematic, but such debates are for philosophers. Scientists are more concerned with how humans became so technologically efficient and how they ultimately came to dominate other species. Of course, many variables play a role in the Human’s rise to power, but the primary determining factor is what we call intelligence.

But there’s more to intelligence than meets the eye: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/intelligence-changing-what-you-think-you-know-part-one/

Image Credit: Andrew Councill/AFP/Getty Images

Astronomy Picture of the Day: 01/09/13 - Orion"s Sword in the Winter Sky

This epic picture was captured by Mike Berenson at Colorado Captures. It reveals the splendor of one of the night sky"s biggest attractions - the Sword of Orion. This region of the sky houses the Orion nebula (the very bright pinkish/blue one), among other interesting objects and features. Altogether, this little region of sky is one of the most viewed regions and best studied regions in the entire celestial hemisphere.



The Orion nebula is the closest nebula to Earth, residing at a distance of 1300 light years. This makes it a hot destination for professional astronomers who want to study the nebula"s intricate detail. Amateur astronomers turn their eye to Orion because it is one of the most stunning objects in the night sky.

http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/astronomy-picture-of-the-day-010913-orions-sword-in-the-winter-sky/

Image Credit: Mike Berenson (Colorado Captures)